HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0459.067 2024-2026From: Ronnie Inagaki
Sent: Sunday, August 24, 2025 1:33 PM
To: Council Testimony
Cc: Ronnie Inagaki
Subject: Testimony in Support of Resolution 286-25: Urgent Acquisition of Honolylu LarAing
(TMKs 1-4-3:19 & 1-4-3:20) o�
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Welina mai ke aloha, Chair and Members of the Hawaii Count3iCD
Council,
I respectfully urge you to urgently prioritize the acquisition of Honolulu Landing, TMKs (1-4-
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3:19 & 1-4-3:20), using Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resource (PONC) funds.
Together, these two lots comprise 364 acres and include nearly three-quarters of a mile of
exceptionally beautiful oceanfront. Their historic and cultural importance has long been
recognized: as early as 1974, the site was found eligible for listing in the Hawai'i Register of
Historic Places . The property includes irreplaceable historic Hawaiian house platforms,
heiaus, terracing, rock walls, and raised trails . This generation has a rare opportunity to
safeguard what remains, ensuring protected open space beside our increasingly densely
populated subdivisions.
These parcels are also part of the historic government (ceded) lands of 1848, as documented
in the Office of Hawaiian Affairs' Kipuka Database. Due to the lack of a precise parcel
inventory, they were not specifically identified in the U.S. Joint Resolution of 1898, the 1900
Organic Act, or the 1959 Admission Act. This historical context underscores the importance
of preserving and protecting these lands for the public and for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries.
This property is part of and will build upon other recently recognized and preserved remains
of the ancient Waiakahi'ula.Village. Community advocates, including lineal descendants,
have expressed support for its protection as open space.
These parcels were specifically identified as important to acquire in the 2005 Hawai'i County
General Plan, prioritized by the PONC Commission in 2006, and in 2007 the County Council
authorized the Director of Finance to negotiate for their acquisition. This acquisition has thus
been nearly twenty years in the making. The current owner is willing to sell, and an appraisal
indicates a total value of $3.9 million . The PONC fund currently has $30 million available,
sourced from our tax dollars. Time is of the essence this is a prudent and meaningful use of
thesefunds.
Comm. NTP
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Ref. To:
Ref. Date — 2 2025
In addition to their historic importance, these lands have immense value for the people of
Puna and our island as a whole. The oceanfront lot is cherished by local residents as a place
to fish, gather, and enjoy the ocean and its beautiful surroundings. Puna has very little public
oceanfront, making this area exceptional and irreplaceable . Public acquisition would also
allow for organized parking and improved public safety, remedying the current situation
where the roadway is often semi -blocked due to insufficient parking. Please also consider
that Puna has historically received very little of the PONC funding over the years.
Mahalo nui loa for your leadership and commitment to preserving our island's unique and
irreplaceable heritage.
Me ka ha`aha`a,
Ronnie N. Inagaki